Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …
Amendment I of the United States Constitution
(first of 10 constitutional amendments comprising the Bill of Rights)
During the summer of 1787, representatives from 12 of the original 13 states (Rhode Island declined to send a delegate) gathered in Philadelphia with a critical task: to agree on a foundational blueprint for the government of the young United States of America.
From May 25 through September 17, 1787, the 55 men passionately debated the size, structure, and powers of the federal government of the United States. Through lengthy discussion, voting, writing, and revising, they eventually produced a proposal outlining three branches of the new government: a federal judiciary, an executive branch, and a representative legislature with two houses — one with equal representation for every state, and one weighted by population.
The proposed new constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates who participated in the convention. While it was remarkably different from the government of other countries, not everyone was satisfied. Some well-respected delegates at the convention had argued the necessity of including a list of specific freedoms that all citizens would enjoy. They were also troubled that the constitution failed to explicitly limit the power of the federal government — essentially, it outlined what was permissible, without detailing what was not.
Thomas Jefferson, one of the most outspoken proponents of adding specific freedoms and limits to the constitution, argued that, “A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.”
The young nation found itself divided on this issue. With the requirement that 9 of the 13 states ratify the new constitution before it became effective, several states agreed only on the condition that a bill of rights would be added. As it was, it took nine months (until June 21, 1788) for enough states to vote in favor of adopting the new constitution.
James Madison, a delegate at the 1787 Philadelphia convention, had been part of crafting the original constitution and understood what needed to be incorporated into the proposed amendments. He began work on the list of rights and restrictions, basing his original draft on the discussions at the convention, the Virginia Declaration of Rights (authored by George Mason in 1776), and suggestions from the states. He eventually proposed 19 amendments, which the House of Representatives narrowed down to 17 before passing them on to the Senate. With approval from the House, the Senate finalized a list of 12 in September 1789. The states then ratified 10 of the 12, and the Bill of Rights became part of the U.S. Constitution in December 1791.
The U.S. Constitution (now the oldest governing written constitution in the world) and Bill of Rights have stood the test of time. They define the structure and limits of the federal government, and are crucial in outlining its relationship to American citizens.
The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” In this one brief amendment that addresses such important freedoms — religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition — it is significant that the very first is a clear prohibition against the government establishing an “official” religion or interfering in a citizen’s right to live according to his beliefs.
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, in a 1952 ruling, explained the intent of the First Amendment this way: “… government that shows no partiality to any one group and that lets each flourish according to the zeal of its adherents and the appeal of its dogma.” (Zorach v. Clauson). Are there limits to this freedom? Absolutely. Our judicial system has historically curtailed certain types of religious expression when necessary to protect the common good and limit an individual’s ability to harm others. Think of it as a variation on the old adage that says, “Your freedom to swing your fist stops at the end of my nose.” You can peacefully adhere to your faith without fear of government interference, until the point that your practices threaten someone else’s safety or the common interest of the community.
Unfortunately, the First Amendment has — particularly in recent years — been grossly misinterpreted to suggest that government must proactively remove religion from public life.
But the language of our Constitution was selected carefully and deliberately. The founding fathers never intended to prevent the free exercise of religion. Rather, they were trying to guarantee that the United States could never follow in the steps of the British empire. The colonies had just won the Revolutionary War and gained independence from Great Britain, whose state church was controlled by the government. British subjects financially supported the Church of England, regardless of their own beliefs. Clergy members were chosen by the government and required to take an oath of allegiance to the ruling monarch. The church’s articles of faith were enacted by Parliament. Even today, Queen Elizabeth II’s many ceremonial titles include, “Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England,” and as such, she is responsible for formally appointing the highest levels of church leadership (although her advisors within the church and government do effectively select the candidates). It is not surprising that the earliest American citizens found state-sponsored religion incompatible with the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Every man must give an account of himself to God,
and therefore every man ought to be at liberty to serve God
in that way that he can best reconcile to his conscience.
— John Leland (1754-1841)
Later this week, we celebrate National Religious Freedom Day. What steps can each of us take to ensure that we preserve religious freedom for ourselves, our families, and future generations of American citizens? Here are 5 suggestions:
- EDUCATE YOURSELF (AND YOUR KIDS).
It is important to fully understand the rights and freedoms — not only religious freedom, but ALL of them — afforded under the U.S. Constitution. As home educators, we are in the unique position of deciding what our children study every day. Learn about this important topic on your own, and teach your children so they have a working knowledge of our founding documents. (An option to consider for yourself or older students: the free online studies from Hillsdale College, including multiple courses in history and politics.)While the typical homeschool mom doesn’t have a huge amount of free time in her day, it’s worth the investment to keep up on current events, especially in the area of religious freedom. Groups like the First Liberty Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Alliance Defending Freedom provide information on new developments, important litigation, and more, all from a Christian perspective; you might want to consider subscribing to their email list and/or following them on social media.
- SPEAK UP!
Don’t stand by passively if your rights are threatened or violated. Society around us is increasingly hostile to a Christian worldview, so don’t be surprised by opposition when you adhere to Christian principles … but when you’re in danger of losing the ability to peacefully exercise your religious beliefs, that is not an appropriate time to be silent. The same holds true when any other constitutional liberty is violated. Remember: by defending these rights, you’re advocating on behalf of your children, grandchildren, and beyond. - EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS.
This goes a step beyond speaking up if your rights are actively being threatened, but I believe it’s essential because I am convinced that it is far easier for government to take away freedom when few people appear to be exercising it — and this holds true of all the rights enumerated in our constitution. So when the opportunity presents itself, I believe citizens should participate in the appropriate legal exercise of their freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, owning firearms, etc.
- VOTE.
One of the most effective ways to preserve our freedoms is to take advantage of the right to VOTE! You’ll set a great example of civic engagement for your kids, simply by making time to participate in the election process. In the weeks before going to the polls, try to involve them in identifying which candidate should get your vote. Whose values align most closely with yours? Who seems to have more respect for individual liberty? Who believes they have a duty to uphold the Constitution? As you are able, consider supporting the best candidates with a small donation. If you want devote time to volunteering, there are ways to include your children in campaign activities like assembling and distributing yard signs or passing out flyers. - PRAY FOR ELECTED LEADERS IN LOCAL, STATE, & NATIONAL OFFICES.
This National Day of Prayer post from Laura gives excellent advice for praying for our leaders, including: that they will have a teachable spirit, that they will know and do what is just and right, that they will steward their influence well, and more. I highly recommend it as a blueprint for effective, proactive prayer for those who lead our communities and our nation.
“While we are contending for our own liberty,
we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others,
ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men,
and to Him only in this case are they answerable.”
— George Washington
Please visit them at www.AReasonFor.com to learn more about their homeschooling resources!
